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RNAscope Applications

HIV/SIV Research

Detection of SIV using non-isotopic ISH compared to the RNAscope ISH (red). Data courtesy of Dr. Jacob Estes of NCI

Detection of HIV RNA in human CD3+ T cells in the spleen of humanized BLT mice using RNAscope 2.0 HD Reagent Kit-RED. RNAscope ISH was followed by colorimetric immunohistochemistry for human T cells using mAb to human CD3, and nuclei were counterstained

HIV in human lung tissue

Despite the success of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), the persistence of HIV reservoirs is a major barrier to overcome before finding a lasting cure. In order to completely eradicate HIV and advance therapeutic interventions, it is important to determine the biological nature of viral latency as well as productively infected cells in tissues including the gastrointestinal tract and those of the lymphatic system. RNAscope®, a highly specific and sensitive in situ hybridization technology, employs a powerful technique to study HIV and SIV in cellular and tissue environments.

Differential detection of viral RNA and proviral DNA – RNAscope® probes can be designed to target the sense or antisense sequences to detect the three different configurations of HIV/SIV during the replication cycles:

"The identification and anatomic location of HIV-infected cells and the effects of tissue environment on virus replication and viral gene expression are all critical for evaluating the pathogenesis of HIV infection and for developing cure strategies to eliminate HIV reservoirs. RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) has enabled us to visualize and quantify HIV RNA with single-copy resolution. For work supported by a Federal Contract with NIAID, NIH, we are using this state-of-the-art ISH technology in combination with immunohistochemistry to characterize the tissue and cellular compartments where the virus resides in HIV-infected humanized mice."

Effect of Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (SAHA) Administration on the Residual Virus Pool in a Model of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy-Mediated Suppression in SIVmac239-Infected Indian Rhesus Macaques.